Ralph Medina, who is running for San Antonio City Council in District 1, and his grandson Justin Medina, 4, look at cars at Frank's Hog Stand on Saturday, May 14, 2011, while waiting on election results.

Ralph Medina, who is running for San Antonio City Council in District 1, and his grandson Justin Medina, 4, look at cars at Frank's Hog Stand on Saturday, May 14, 2011, while waiting on election results.

Ralph Medina, who is running for San Antonio City Council in District 1, answers questions from the media at Frank's Hog Stand on Saturday, May 14, 2011, while waiting for election results.

Ralph Medina, who is running for San Antonio City Council in District 1, answers questions from the media at Frank's Hog Stand on Saturday, May 14, 2011, while waiting for election results.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas/Express-News

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Photo: Express-News Graphic

Pair in runoff for District 1

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Civil-rights attorney Diego Bernal and retired firefighter Ralph Medina are headed for a June 11 runoff for the District 1 City Council seat after one of the most closely watched races this year.

But Bernal, 34, considered by many an underdog in a five-way race for the spot, outpaced Medina by a healthy margin.

“Every dog has his day,” Bernal said. Now, “we reach out to all the voters, including people who voted for our competitors, and say, ‘Look, we have a vision for the district that includes you.'”

Medina, 55, said: “I think that we're just going to have to go out there and work hard and continue to drive home that message of public service and 35 years of serving the public, and make sure we have the right person representing our families and the future of District 1.”

Early on, a runoff appeared likely. But it was unclear which two candidates ultimately would compete for the seat being vacated by two-term Councilwoman Mary Alice Cisneros.

Medina was a strong front-runner. But his managerial abilities were thrown into question last week after the San Antonio Express-News reported a company he co-owns owed more than $14,000 in overdue property taxes on a vacant lot in South Bexar County.

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Medina paid the amount in full the same day the story appeared, but he believed the publicity hurt his campaign.